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SEEDS INTERNSHIP: Recovering lost cotton diversity from historical collections
Project Description
ShapeThis project investigates the loss of genetic diversity in cultivated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) from its early global expansion to the present. G. hirsutum was widely cultivated between ca. 1600 and 1950 across multiple regions, during which selection was largely local and informal. From the mid-20th century onwards, formal breeding programmes intensified—particularly during the Green Revolution—causing major shifts in the diversity used. This process culminated in a severe genetic bottleneck linked to the global adoption of transgenic varieties. The central hypothesis is that post–Green Revolution breeding caused a profound global bottleneck, resulting in widespread homogenisation of cultivated cotton. However, historical collections at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew—including herbarium specimens and Economic Botany collections—may preserve evidence of pre-bottleneck diversity. These collections may retain morphological and genetic signals of locally adapted cultivars, landraces, feral populations and wild relatives from ca. 1600–1960, particularly from its centre of origin (Mexico) The intern will conduct a systematic survey of herbarium specimens and associated materials, documenting historical context, morphological traits and suitability for DNA analysis. Microscopy-based imaging of seeds and leaves will quantify phenotypic variation, while specimens will be georeferenced and mapped to compare historical and modern diversity patterns. By integrating botanical, historical and evolutionary perspectives, the project highlights the value of museum collections for understanding long-term crop evolution and identifying lost genetic diversity relevant to sustainable, low-input agriculture.
Research themes
Project Specific Training
Internship project work plan: Full-time
Weeks 1–2:
– Health and Safety, Lab-work and Herbarium Inductions, Introductory readings.
- Introduction to Kew collections, herbarium handling and Economic Botany archives
– Training in specimen metadata extraction and database construction
– Initial identification of Gossypium materials
Weeks 3–4:
– Systematic cataloguing of specimens (origin, date, material type)
– Assessment of DNA extraction potential
– Georeferencing and historical mapping of collections
Weeks 5–6:
– Microscopic imaging of seeds and leaves
– Quantification of key morphological traits
– Comparison of pre- and post–Green Revolution materials
Week 7:
– Data synthesis and visualisation
– Preparation of a short report and presentation
– Reflection on implications for crop evolution and resilience
Skills gained include collection-based research, data management, microscopy, evolutionary thinking and science communication.
Weeks 1–2:
– Health and Safety, Lab-work and Herbarium Inductions, Introductory readings.
– Introduction to Kew collections, herbarium handling and Economic Botany archives
– Training in specimen metadata extraction and database construction
– Initial identification of Gossypium materials
Weeks 3–4:
– Systematic cataloguing of specimens (origin, date, material type)
– Assessment of DNA extraction potential
– Georeferencing and historical mapping of collections
Weeks 5–6:
– Microscopic imaging of seeds and leaves
– Quantification of key morphological traits
– Comparison of pre- and post–Green Revolution materials
Week 7:
– Data synthesis and visualisation
– Preparation of a short report and presentation
– Reflection on implications for crop evolution and resilience
Skills gained include collection-based research, data management, microscopy, evolutionary thinking and science communication.
Internship project work plan: Part-time
The project would follow the same structure as the full-time plan, but spread across approximately 10 weeks, allowing reduced weekly hours. Tasks would be prioritised as follows: – Core cataloguing and mapping of collections – Targeted microscopy of representative specimens – Focused synthesis on diversity loss and evolutionary implications This format maintains meaningful research outcomes while allowing flexibility for interns with caring responsibilities or other commitments.
Project supervisor/s
Alicia Mastretta-Yanes
Ecosystem Stewardship
Kew
A.MastrettaYanes@kew.org
Ana Wegier
Ecosystem Stewardship
Kew
A.Wegier@kew.org